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Frequently Asked Questions
What parties facilitate the SMB Mentor-Protégé Program?
The SMB Mentor-Protégé Program is a sub-component of the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity and is facilitated by VFI and DAI. The SMB Mentor-Protégé Governance Board is comprised of representatives from USAID, VFI, and DAI and is chartered with management of all SMB Mentor-Protégé Program administrative and operational functions. If any additional parties are invited for SMB Mentor-Protégé Governance Board involvement, all participants will be notified prior to this change.
https://www.usaid.gov/ukraine
www.vetfi.com
www.dai.com
https://www.usaid.gov/ukraine
www.vetfi.com
www.dai.com
How is my organizations information protected?
The SMB Mentor-Protégé Terms of Use and Privacy Policy defines all privacy and information protection provisions including what information is considered confidential, how it shall be protected, and which parties have visibility to that information.
As an additional provision, it is highly recommended that a non-disclosure agreement be executed between the Mentor and Protégé prior to any sharing of information.
As a condition of the program participation, a Mentor-Protégé Teaming Agreement must be developed following acceptance of the team into the program. One of the primary purposes of Teaming Agreement is to identify the specific types of information that shall be shared between the Mentor and the Protégé during their involvement in the program.
As an additional provision, it is highly recommended that a non-disclosure agreement be executed between the Mentor and Protégé prior to any sharing of information.
As a condition of the program participation, a Mentor-Protégé Teaming Agreement must be developed following acceptance of the team into the program. One of the primary purposes of Teaming Agreement is to identify the specific types of information that shall be shared between the Mentor and the Protégé during their involvement in the program.
What organizations are eligible to participate in the program?
Mentor applicants shall meet the following requirement criteria to be considered eligible for the program:
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Applicants shall be originated from a non-Ukrainian home of record
Applicants shall be registered to conduct business in Ukraine
Applicants shall have conducted business within the borders of Ukraine within the last 3 years
Applicants shall be classified as a Medium or Large business according to European Union and/or United States of America business classification standards
Applicants shall have a dedicated Cybersecurity business capability or similarly related Information Technology capability
Applicants shall complete a MP Cybersecurity Maturity Self-Assessment during the application process
Applicants shall be registered to conduct business in Ukraine
Applicants shall have conducted business within the borders of Ukraine within the last 3 years
Applicants shall be classified as a Medium or Large business according to European Union and/or United States of America business classification standards
Applicants shall have a dedicated Cybersecurity business capability or similarly related Information Technology capability
Applicants shall complete a MP Cybersecurity Maturity Self-Assessment during the application process
Protégé applicants shall meet the following requirement criteria to be considered eligible for the program:
Applicants shall originate from a Ukrainian home of record
Applicants shall be registered to conduct business in Ukraine
Applicants shall have conducted business within the borders of Ukraine within the last 3 years
Applicants shall be classified as a Small or Medium business according to Ukrainian business classification standards.
This includes limited liability companies (LLC), Joint Stock Companies (JSC), Branch Offices, Joint Ventures (JV), and Private Entrepreneurs/Sole Proprietors
Applicants shall have a dedicated Cybersecurity business capability or similarly related Information Technology capability
Applicants shall complete two Cybersecurity Maturity Self-Assessment Questionnaires, once during the application process and once prior to graduation from the program
Applicants shall be registered to conduct business in Ukraine
Applicants shall have conducted business within the borders of Ukraine within the last 3 years
Applicants shall be classified as a Small or Medium business according to Ukrainian business classification standards.
This includes limited liability companies (LLC), Joint Stock Companies (JSC), Branch Offices, Joint Ventures (JV), and Private Entrepreneurs/Sole Proprietors
Applicants shall have a dedicated Cybersecurity business capability or similarly related Information Technology capability
Applicants shall complete two Cybersecurity Maturity Self-Assessment Questionnaires, once during the application process and once prior to graduation from the program
*Exceptions to the eligibility criteria may be granted under special dispensation.
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How does the teaming process work?
Mentors and Protégés each complete an online application.
https://form.collect.dai.com/x/wQg90R7o
Mentors and Proteges are provided a secure link to the online cybersecurity self-assessment questionnaire (CSAQ)
Mentors and Protégés each submit an individual CSAQ
Applications are evaluated for acceptance into the program
Interviews with the Mentor-Protégé team are conducted
The Mentor-Protégé team is initiated into the program
Mentors and Protégés submit an online Teaming Agreement
Mentoring engagements are conducted
Protégés submit quarterly performance reports
Mentor-Protégé teams are graduated or extended
https://form.collect.dai.com/x/wQg90R7o
Mentors and Proteges are provided a secure link to the online cybersecurity self-assessment questionnaire (CSAQ)
Mentors and Protégés each submit an individual CSAQ
Applications are evaluated for acceptance into the program
Interviews with the Mentor-Protégé team are conducted
The Mentor-Protégé team is initiated into the program
Mentors and Protégés submit an online Teaming Agreement
Mentoring engagements are conducted
Protégés submit quarterly performance reports
Mentor-Protégé teams are graduated or extended
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How are Mentor-Protégé teams paired?
Mentor and Protégé applicants are highly encouraged to identify suitable teaming partners prior to applying to the program. However, pairing assistance is provided by the program for those applicants that do not have a partner pre-selected.
When does the Mentor-Protégé team expire?
The duration of the Mentor-Protégé team shall be a minimum of 1-year from acceptance into the program. At the end of the 1-year duration, the Mentor-Protégé teams’ performance shall be evaluated by the SMB Mentor-Protégé Governance Board. If the conditions are suitable the team may be authorized to extend the partnership for an additional year.
What activities are considered “Mentoring”?
Mentoring activities that are intended to be conducted will be clearly defined within the Teaming Agreement.
Mentoring activities may include but not be limited to the following:
Mentoring activities may include but not be limited to the following:
Training Events (in person, online training courses, webinars, etc.)
Technical Assistance (technical support, design, engineering, operations, etc.)
Administrative Assistance (internal business practices, contracts, pricing, proposals, project management, etc.)
Product or Service Demonstrations (hardware, software, firmware, process, etc.)
Technical Assistance (technical support, design, engineering, operations, etc.)
Administrative Assistance (internal business practices, contracts, pricing, proposals, project management, etc.)
Product or Service Demonstrations (hardware, software, firmware, process, etc.)
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What are the participation conditions?
Participants must remain compliant with the following conditions to remain in good standing with the program:
Remain compliant with the Eligibility Criteria
Remain compliant with the Terms of Use
Submit a SMB Mentor-Protégé Teaming Agreement
Submit quarterly Performance Reports
Remain compliant with the Terms of Use
Submit a SMB Mentor-Protégé Teaming Agreement
Submit quarterly Performance Reports
Teams may be subject to dismissal from the program should violations of the participation conditions occur.
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Why was my organization not approved for participation in the program?
Determination of suitability for acceptance of Mentors and Protégés into the program is at the sole discretion of the SMB Mentor-Protégé Program Governance Board.
Possible reasons for not being accepted in the program may include but not be limited to the following:
Possible reasons for not being accepted in the program may include but not be limited to the following:
Failure to meet the Eligibility Criteria
Presence of the organization on a Ukraine, US, or EU sanction list
Evidence of criminal activity
Pending legal disputes
Unsuitable affiliations
Presence of the organization on a Ukraine, US, or EU sanction list
Evidence of criminal activity
Pending legal disputes
Unsuitable affiliations
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What is the Cybersecurity Self-Assessment Questionnaire (CSAQ)?
The CSAQ is an online questionnaire derived from the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Cybersecurity Resilience Review (CRR). Information collected in the CSAQ is considered confidential and will not be provided to any parties outside of the SMB Mentor-Protégé Program staff.
The purpose of the CSAQ is to provide a standardized method for gauging the baseline cybersecurity posture of each organization that shall be participating in the program.
The SMB Mentorship Program CSAQ shall be used to:
The purpose of the CSAQ is to provide a standardized method for gauging the baseline cybersecurity posture of each organization that shall be participating in the program.
The SMB Mentorship Program CSAQ shall be used to:
Evaluate the Mentor’s ability to provide consistent and reliable guidance
Gauge the Protégé’s baseline cybersecurity maturity
Identify potential cybersecurity related goals for the Mentor-Protégé team
Measure the performance of the team before graduation from program
Gauge the Protégé’s baseline cybersecurity maturity
Identify potential cybersecurity related goals for the Mentor-Protégé team
Measure the performance of the team before graduation from program
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What is the Teaming Agreement?
The teaming agreement is a non-binding agreement between the Mentor and Protégé that outlines the duration, scope, specific goals, planned engagements, how information will be shared and protected, and authorized points-of-contact. The teaming agreement is created using an online template provided to the Mentor-Protégé team after acceptance to the program.
What is the quarterly performance report?
The quarterly performance report is an online form that shall be used to record the performance of the Mentor-Protégé team including milestones achieved in the team lifecycle, engagements with other USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine program components, or other relevant interactions occurring between the Mentor and Protege. Protégés will be responsible for submission of this form on a quarterly basis.
How is graduation achieved?
Teams that remain compliant with Eligibility Criteria and Participation Conditions shall be graduated from the program at the end of the 1-year lifecycle and provided a USAID endorsed certificate of completion.
What are the investment opportunities?
Companies participating in SMB Mentor – Protégé program as proteges may be eligible for funding opportunities based on their demonstrated ability to further develop their cybersecurity business.
Pending final funding approval, the USAID Cybersecurity Activity intends to make funding available for the most promising companies through a grant pool of up to $3m. Grants of up to $250k may serve as seed funding to grow companies based on specific needs, business plans, and performance.
Pending final funding approval, the USAID Cybersecurity Activity intends to make funding available for the most promising companies through a grant pool of up to $3m. Grants of up to $250k may serve as seed funding to grow companies based on specific needs, business plans, and performance.
Contact Us
For more information on the SMB Mentor-Protégé Program please contact us at
connect_now@vetfi.com
USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity
